Half a Million People in Poverty - House Prices Up 259% Say ONS

Responding to official figures showing the number of people living in poverty in the UK now stands at 14 million, Campbell Robb, chief executive at the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), said:

 “These troubling figures are warning signs we could be at the beginning of a sharp rise in poverty, with forecasts suggesting child poverty could rise further by 2021. If we are to make Britain work for everyone, getting to grips with high levels of poverty must be the starting point.

“Half a million more people – including more 200,000 pensioners and 100,000 children – are now living on incomes which mean they struggle to make ends meet and wake up every day facing insecurity and uncertainty.

“While employment is at record levels, the rising cost of living and freeze on benefits and tax credits mean ordinary working families are facing a tough outlook. In tight fiscal times, it is vital any additional support is directed at families who need it most.

“Lifting the freeze on working-age benefits and tax credits and allowing families to keep more of their earnings under Universal Credit will help ease the strain now.”

House Prices rise by 259% in under two decades:

Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has responded to an ONS report on housing affordability in England and Wales, showing the median price paid for a residential property has increased by 259% between 1997 and 2016.

Tim Farron said: “This shows that for many people, especially the younger generation, buying a house could remain impossible throughout their lifetimes.

“Unless we build large numbers of new houses urgently, the government will shatter the dreams of millions of people desperate for a home of their own. The chronic lack of supply is kicking the ladder of aspiration.

“And with the construction industry complaining of a lack of labour even before Theresa May decided to go for a hard Brexit, it is difficult to see how those homes are going to be built. You can’t have a hard Brexit and a decent supply of houses.”